PRE-READING Before you start reading "Sir Gawain and the Green Knight", open the Discussion Tab on this page to answer a series of pre-reading questions. After you respond to the prompt, refresh your screen periodically so you can read what you peers have written. Respond to at least three peers about what they wrote, explaining why you agree or disagree with comments they made. Your responses to your peers should be at least three sentences in length.
PART 1 DISCUSSION QUESTIONS 1. Explain what Gawain's acceptance of the Green Knight's challenge says about Gawain's character. Keep in mind these could be both positive and negative descriptions. Come up with as many as you can. 2. Reread lines 30-39 on page 135. Why do you think the Green Knight says all of this? List at least three important things his speech does. 3. What characteristics of a romance do you see so far in the character of the Green Knight? 4. In going out to meet the Green Knight, Gawain is setting out on a QUEST - a perilous journey for something of great value. What do you think Gawain hopes to gain by completing his journey? Explain at least two things. 5. What game does Gawain agree to play with the Lord of the castle? 6. The Lady of the house tests Gawain's character numerous times. Gawain is known for being a "ladies' man", and women are his biggest weakness. How does Gawain respond to the lady's demand for information about his love life? What gifts does he refuse to take? Find the exact words he uses for turning down her offer. 7. After three days of being in the castle, has he lived up to his end of the deal in every way? More importantly, is he up holding the code of knightly conduct? Explain in detail, making sure you analyze the events of the third day with the Lady. 8. Explain the value of the green sash. 9. Throughout Part 1, in what ways has he upheld the code of knightly conduct and where has he fallen short? (Don't repeat anything you've referenced above.) 10. Throughout this reading, look for ways which Gawain and the Green Knight both live up to their word and follow through with their promises. Highlight them in your packet. Explain in writing where they also fail and what happens. Considering the virtues that the preface says are on trial and beginning to erode, describe what you think is the perfect knight.
PART 2 DISCUSSION QUESTIONS 1. Record descriptions of what the Green Chapel looks like. Visualize it and explain what it reminds you of. (If it helps, create a little sketch of it from the descriptions.) 2. Look at lines 213 - 218. Why does Gawain state those words? (Think back to the "why does he say that" discussion in part one about why the Green Knight says his little speech as well. Compare the two.) 3. Find three areas where you can tell Gawain is fearful in the section from pages 140-142. 4. What happens in the exchange between the Green Knight and Sir Gawain. Throughout each stage, how does Gawain do at upholding his code of Knightly Conduct? 5. What does it say about the Green Knight and his purpose based on what he says in lines 334-339? 6. Look at Gawain's reaction to being caught with the green sash. How do you think he truly feels about what he has done? 7. The Green Knight's response to Gawain's confession surprises many. Look at lines 385-394. Do you agree with the Green Knight's description of Gawain's character? Why or why not? 8. Do you think the Green Knight let Gawain off the hook too easily? Explain.
POST READING QUESTIONS
1. Two visual aspects are repeated throughout this epic: a. the color green and b. the number three. When something is repeated, the author wants to catch our attention. List all of the areas where we see those words used. Then explain what the symbolic meaning of them are. Color Symbolism 2. When Gawain returns home, what parts of his journey do you think he will share about his journey? Take a look at the major points of the story and determine what he will explain regarding it. Why do you think he will tell everything, partially inform, or keep it all to himself?
In class writing:
What lessons do you think Gawain learned? Come up with two lessons and explain using details from the story and your own explanation/opinion of Sir Gawain's actions. In addition, make these lessons universal, meaning we can learn the same and apply it to our lives. Writing specifications:
Four total paragraphs: introduction, 1st lesson, 2nd lesson, and conclusion. Each body paragraph should be at least 7 sentences long; introductory and concluding paragraphs should be at least 4 sentences long.
Preset margin, font size, and font style.
3/4 to full page in length, double space typed. No extra spaces wasted.
In the header, type your name, period #, and title of assignment "Sir Gawain essay".
Before you start reading "Sir Gawain and the Green Knight", open the Discussion Tab on this page to answer a series of pre-reading questions. After you respond to the prompt, refresh your screen periodically so you can read what you peers have written. Respond to at least three peers about what they wrote, explaining why you agree or disagree with comments they made. Your responses to your peers should be at least three sentences in length.
PART 1 DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1. Explain what Gawain's acceptance of the Green Knight's challenge says about Gawain's character. Keep in mind these could be both positive and negative descriptions. Come up with as many as you can.
2. Reread lines 30-39 on page 135. Why do you think the Green Knight says all of this? List at least three important things his speech does.
3. What characteristics of a romance do you see so far in the character of the Green Knight?
4. In going out to meet the Green Knight, Gawain is setting out on a QUEST - a perilous journey for something of great value. What do you think Gawain hopes to gain by completing his journey? Explain at least two things.
5. What game does Gawain agree to play with the Lord of the castle?
6. The Lady of the house tests Gawain's character numerous times. Gawain is known for being a "ladies' man", and women are his biggest weakness. How does Gawain respond to the lady's demand for information about his love life? What gifts does he refuse to take? Find the exact words he uses for turning down her offer.
7. After three days of being in the castle, has he lived up to his end of the deal in every way? More importantly, is he up holding the code of knightly conduct? Explain in detail, making sure you analyze the events of the third day with the Lady.
8. Explain the value of the green sash.
9. Throughout Part 1, in what ways has he upheld the code of knightly conduct and where has he fallen short? (Don't repeat anything you've referenced above.)
10. Throughout this reading, look for ways which Gawain and the Green Knight both live up to their word and follow through with their promises. Highlight them in your packet. Explain in writing where they also fail and what happens.
Considering the virtues that the preface says are on trial and beginning to erode, describe what you think is the perfect knight.
PART 2 DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1. Record descriptions of what the Green Chapel looks like. Visualize it and explain what it reminds you of. (If it helps, create a little sketch of it from the descriptions.)
2. Look at lines 213 - 218. Why does Gawain state those words? (Think back to the "why does he say that" discussion in part one about why the Green Knight says his little speech as well. Compare the two.)
3. Find three areas where you can tell Gawain is fearful in the section from pages 140-142.
4. What happens in the exchange between the Green Knight and Sir Gawain. Throughout each stage, how does Gawain do at upholding his code of Knightly Conduct?
5. What does it say about the Green Knight and his purpose based on what he says in lines 334-339?
6. Look at Gawain's reaction to being caught with the green sash. How do you think he truly feels about what he has done?
7. The Green Knight's response to Gawain's confession surprises many. Look at lines 385-394. Do you agree with the Green Knight's description of Gawain's character? Why or why not?
8. Do you think the Green Knight let Gawain off the hook too easily? Explain.
POST READING QUESTIONS
1. Two visual aspects are repeated throughout this epic: a. the color green and b. the number three.
When something is repeated, the author wants to catch our attention. List all of the areas where we see those words used. Then explain what the symbolic meaning of them are.
Color Symbolism
2. When Gawain returns home, what parts of his journey do you think he will share about his journey? Take a look at the major points of the story and determine what he will explain regarding it. Why do you think he will tell everything, partially inform, or keep it all to himself?
In class writing:
What lessons do you think Gawain learned? Come up with two lessons and explain using details from the story and your own explanation/opinion of Sir Gawain's actions. In addition, make these lessons universal, meaning we can learn the same and apply it to our lives.
Writing specifications: